Bertrand Traore did as much as any loanee could to earn his way into his parent club’s squad. He hopes that his season with Ajax was enough to secure his spot at Chelsea.
Bertrand Traore completed every challenge one could levy on a Chelsea loanee. He has over 80 appearances in the Eredivisie, first with Vitesse and then with Ajax. Between those loan spells he made 16 appearances and scored four goals across four competitions with Chelsea. He has 38 caps for Burkina Faso. And in his most recent loan spell he powered Ajax to the runner-up position in the Eredivisie and the Europa League.
If all that does not earn him a place on Chelsea’s pre-season squad and top billing on the team sheet, no one can say he did not do enough. With Ajax’s Europa League defeat only a few days old, Bertrand Traore is already focussed on his future at Chelsea.
"That was the key when I came to Ajax – play as many as I could, do well, and try to go back to Chelsea. I think I had a great season but I don’t decide to stay at Chelsea or move. I will see what my future will be. – MSN"
Traore outshone his temporary teammates in the Europa League final. Whether from experience, his desire to win, having his eye on Chelsea or wanting to do well in front of Jose Mourinho, Traore was the only Ajax player who never looked cowed by Manchester United. He was at home on that stage, wanting to fight for a major trophy.
Depending on what Chelsea decides for Michy Batshuayi next season, Bertrand Traore should be second or third on the club’s depth chart at striker. If Antonio Conte shifts to a dual-striker formation, Traore and Batshuayi will battle for the spot alongside whoever Chelsea brings in to replace Diego Costa. With Chelsea in the Champions League, that could result in 40+ starts for Traore.
Next: Chelsea's best goals of 2016/17: Eden Hazard! N'Golo Kante! More Hazard!
Bertrand Traore is the next player to make the jump from serial loanee to first team regular. His progression will more likely mirror Victor Moses’ than Nathaniel Chalobah. Traore, by all right, should spend far more time on the pitch than Chelsea’s bench next season.